Those who are forced into being without an abode and/or dwelling are all to quickly deemed less than citizens. In many regards are even treated as less than human. How about thinking that we are NOT homeless, nor last-class citizens or non-human? We think, have feelings, have intellect and struggle. How would you feel to be thought of as anything less than human just for circumstances due to those of profit/gain/control?

Montana Homelessness is on the Rise, Leaving Hundreds of Children with No Place to Call Home

"Houseless", not homeless!

Many state that our children are the future, so WHY don't we do better?

There are about 175 children in the Great Falls Public School
District without a place to call home. School officials believe that
number could actually be much higher, but those students have yet to
come forward.

Every year the number of children on the homeless
list rises. It could be the economy, family problems, or a combination
of a lot of things. The lack of affordable housing is one common
denominator. Lee Houle, Homeless Coordinator for the district, explains
that with just the oil boom in eastern Montana, the price of rent has
tripled. He says affordable housing is a common problem in Great Falls
as well.

There are a various types of homelessness. Houle says
the majority of students are in a doubled up situation where they are
living with friends or family members. There are also children living
in cars, motels, in inadequate housing without heat or running water,
and those in shelters. Houle says the Great Falls Rescue Mission is at
full capacity and has been for the last two years.

Seventeen
year old Dakota Highpine lived in a motel for two years, but was kicked
out when his mother went to jail. He says, “I didn’t know what to eat,
didn’t know where to go”. So the 10th Ave. bridge became his home for
two months. He explains, “I’d go under the bridge and just sit there”.
Although, it appears someone else has moved in recently.

With
multiple family members in jail, he felt those he could reach out to had
their own problems. He says, “I didn’t want everyone to feel like they
weren’t helping me”. Instead, he kept his homelessness a secret. He
says being homeless “just feels like you're empty on the inside. Don’t
have no one to care. No one there”.

However, school provided
some relief. He explains, “that was the only time I got to eat was
lunch”. Houle describes school as a way to provide at least 6 hours of
stability where they have people like teachers, meals, and a warm safe
environment that they can count on. Dakota says, “all my friends made
me feel happy”.

Yet, living with such a big secret can take its
toll. Dakota explains, “I used to get so overwhelmed, I’d get mad and
walk out of class. I didn’t care about anything”. School staff says a
lot of homeless students academic and behavior problems are actually a
side effect for the trauma they are going through. Houle says, “we
might have Einstein capable students that don’t even know it”.

Things
are looking up for Dakota. He’s living with his Grandma now that she
and his mom are both out of jail. Dakota says, “I feel a lot better now
because I have somewhere to stay. I have a bed”.

School counselors
expect there are at least 400 children in the district without a place
to call home. Dakota advises them talk to someone and focus on the
positive. He says, “there’s always a new day coming on so never really
get scared and think about what you have in your life now”.

Although
being homeless can be a traumatic event, Dakota has learned a lot. He
explains, “if I had a kid, I’d never give up on them, never really walk
away, never really try to get in trouble and go to jail. I’d try to be
a man and do what I’m supposed to do”.

Many students do not come
forward out of embarrassment or fear the state will take them away from
their families. The school district can help with things like
transportation, food, clothing, and finding a place off the streets.
Call Houle at 406-268-6607 for more information on school services.